The term ‘politician’ had become a dirty word in the Philippines, as corruption has been the status quo of the country for generations, from the national level all the way down the local level. So rare does a politician truly embody public service in his work and personal life, so much so that when one comes along, people take notice.
When news broke out that the small airplane carrying former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo had gone missing, the country held its breath and hoped that the worst hadn’t happened. But after days of tireless searching, the Secretary’s and pilots’ remains were found somewhere along the coast of Masbate. He had died just two years after being appointed Secretary to the Department of Interior and Local Government, leaving behind a wife, three daughters, and a nation for so long has been in need of leaders like him.
The country mourned the Secretary’s untimely demise. Just as it was starting to get to know Secretary Robredo was he so abruptly taken away. In the days that followed his passing, details of his life in public service began being talked about, only making him more beloved, and his death a bigger tragedy. No public official was so unanimously adored like Secretary Robredo.
In light with the current and worsening political landscape dominated by dynasties and old school politicking, a look back to the short yet purposeful life of Secretary Robredo could provide not only insight but also hope for the possibility of a better future with genuine public servants at the helm of change.
Strive to do your best in everything you do
Secretary Robredo first worked at Carnation Philippines as a materials controller, where his job was to count the milk cans being produced. The job is not in his resume, but he mentioned this in a speech he gave in an event with the Philippine National Police.
“Ang trabaho ko po ay magbilang ng lata. I suppose it wasn’t the kind of job that anyone would like to do, but instead of sulking, I told myself if it is something that is worth doing, then it should be done well,” his speech said.
His duties would later on carry more weight, yet his mindset of doing his best in whatever he did remained with him throughout his years as mayor of Naga and later on as DILG Secretary, with the effects of his work ethic being felt to this day.
Stand by your principles
During the Martial Law era, the young Jesse worked at San Miguel Corporation in logistics planning. When Senator Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in 1983, he had become more politically expressive in his disfavor of the Marcos Regime, to the extent that he attended the late senator’s public funeral, and later on become more vocal at his workplace where most of his colleagues were Marcos loyalists. He even organized a local chapter of a known anti-Marcos organization with four other colleagues. San Miguel itself at the time was owned by known Marcos crony Danding Cojuangco.
Yet, the would-be Secretary was unafraid to say or do what he thought was right. He would later on in his political career face much fiercer opposition, among the most notable of which involved an ordinance passed by the local government of Naga during his first term which moved the terminal of buses and jeepneys away from the business district in order to ease traffic. With the ordinance being opposed by not only by bus and jeepney operators but also some of his supporters, he was able to defend the ordinance’s legality in court, and later prove his being right when Naga’s traffic problem eventually improved.
Serve with humility
Secretary Robredo’s administrative work in San Miguel as well as his master’s degree in business administration could have attributed to his successful run as mayor of Naga City from the moment he took office at 29 years old. At the time, the country was reeling as Marcos had just been deposed, and Naga was a third-class city that had a one million peso- deficit in its coffers, had night clubs that hosted lewd shows and illegal drug use, and rampant illegal gambling.
But in ten years, it was found that in terms of family income, the average monthly take-home of citizens of Naga rose by 62%, or at least 34% higher than other Bicolano urban dwellers among the lowest income earners, and 132% higher than other Bicolano urban dwellers among the highest income earners.
It could very well have been the Secretary not being a career politician but actually a naive young man who happened to enter public service and apply what he knew that made him effective. He was even quoted to have said, “my ignorance of what government is all about helped. You don’t have those conventions and traditions to comply with.”
Family comes first
The public’s first glimpse of Vice President Leni Robredo and her three daughters was when they attended the Secretary’ State funeral. Among the several anecdotal stories that were mentioned was that when Jesse was still mayor of Naga, he made it a point to have lunch at home, and made sure he was home by dinner time to spend time with his family.
It was mentioned in eulogies of him, including that of former President Noynoy Aquino’s, that he would decline invitations to be able to spend more time with his family. As it appears until now, it was apparent early on that the Robredos regarded family time very highly, with the Robredo matriarch and daughters actively supporting each others’ careers.
There is still hope for good governance
When Secretary Robredo was appointed in 2010, the administration has just succeeded the scandal-ridden presidency of President Arroyo. There was no longer trust in government after countless conspiracies coming to light. With the new Secretary taking the reins, the people who knew him hoped he would adopt the policies he introduced in Naga in the national level.
And in the short period that he was Secretary, that is exactly what happened. He used the same merit-system he applied in the local level to the DILG. He systematized the submission of financial reports of each local government and made the information available to the public. And when government officials opposed his actions, he stood by them as he did when he was mayor. He has proven that a genuine desire to change a flawed system and the will and integrity to do it is to possible to ask for in our public servants.
References:
Who is Jesse Robredo? Jesse Robredo Foundation. https://jesserobredofoundation.com/Who-is-Jesse-M-Robredo/
Tirol, Lorna K. 2000. Robredo, Jesse Manalastas Biography. (written for Robredo’s Ramon Magsaysay Award)
IMAGE: JESSE ROBREDO Foundation, lenirobredo.com